As well as high, blast-proof fences, the house has heavy bollards in front of the gates to stop ram-raid attacks and vehicles are not allowed to park in front.

The building, which has its own guard house, is also close to the headquarters of the elite presidential guard and armoured cars are always on standby in streets nearby.

But sources said some living arrangements would be changed inside the house, including the location of bedrooms, in the wake of the embassy blast.

Most of the other embassy staff are dispersed around Jakarta, some in apartment towers but many in private homes. The US ambassador's house, close by the Australian mission, has bus loads of police on standby and high steel fences. At complexes housing Australian staff, more security guards have been provided and bomb checks stepped up, while police with assault rifles have also been dispatched by Jakarta police.

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Australia's embassy has warned all citizens to stay away from the giant Rasuna apartment complex near the embassy in central Jakarta, although no Australian diplomats live there.

Staff have also been advised to take "non-physical" security precautions, such as varying their travel routines and shopping locations.